The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD)
will release a pair of Mexican wolves into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area of Arizona. In a
separate action, the Service will also release a second pair of Mexican wolves into the wolf recovery
area in New Mexico. Both pairs, selected to increase genetic diversity of the wild wolf population,
were previously held at the Service’s Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Wolf Management Facility
where they have undergone an acclimation process to determine that they are suitable release
candidates.

“We continue to be committed to strategic releases that improve genetic diversity, increase the
number of breeding wolves, and offset illegal mortalities in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area,”
said Benjamin Tuggle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Southwest Regional Director. “We’re
excited to be working with our partners on this simultaneous release of Mexican wolves in Arizona
and New Mexico. This dual release is another step that helps us reach our goal of a self-sustaining
wild wolf population.”

Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Larry Voyles added: “The strategically-planned
release of the wolf pair into Arizona is to improve the genetic integrity of the wolf population. The
release approaches being used are tailored to encourage these wolves to acclimate and behave as
wild wolves. Our experience shows that wild- born, wild-raised wolves have a much better chance
at success.”

In Arizona, the Interagency Field Team (IFT) will conduct a “soft release” of Mexican wolves F1126 and M1051 (F indicates female and M indicates male) near the Corduroy Creek Release site
on the Alpine Ranger District in the Apache National Forest. A soft release is when the wolves are
taken from the wolf management facility where they have been held and transported to holding pens
erected at their release locations. After a length of time (TBD) the pens will be opened and they
will be released. A hard release is when the wolves are transported by crate to the release site, the
crate door is opened, and the wolf is released directly into the wild.

“We considered several factors in the selection of the release site, including appropriate prey
density, distance from occupied residences, seasonal absence of livestock grazing, and occurrence
of established wolf packs in the area,” said Chris Bagnoli, the AGFD’s IFT leader. “This particular
site was also chosen in close coordination with the public and with approval from the Forest
Service.”

Arizona pair will be released into an enclosure and held for a time to acclimate them to their
surroundings. After a period of time they will be released into the primary recovery zone in
compliance with the existing federal 10(j) rule covering the reintroduction project because F1126
does not have previous wild experience. This will be an initial release of F1126 and a translocation
of M1051.

Wolf being examined for release into Apache
National Forest. Photo credit: USFWS.

The Service, in cooperation with the IFT, will also conduct a “modified soft release” of Mexican wolves F1108 and M1133 into New Mexico. These wolves will be translocated to an enclosure in
the Gila Wilderness. The enclosure is intentionally designed so that the wolves can chew through
and self-release any time after being placed there. Thus, the wolves may remain in the enclosure for
less than 24 hours, or may release up to several weeks later. Both F1108 and M1133 have previous
wild experience, and so are able to be translocated into the secondary recovery zone in compliance
with the existing federal 10(j) rule covering the reintroduction project.

For both the Arizona and New Mexico pairs the IFT anticipates the wolves will begin utilizing the
area around the release sites upon release. The IFT will provide supplemental food while the
wolves learn to catch and kill native prey, such as deer and elk, on their own. The supplemental
feeding will assist in anchoring the wolves to the area.

The IFT estimates the 2012 population of Mexican wolves in the wild to be a minimum of 75
animals, as determined by their most recent annual survey conducted in January 2013, up from a
count of 58 in 2011.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwsshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s mission is to conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife
resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future
generations.